Half of this group said they had sent a nude or explicit photo or video of themselves and 70 per cent reported receiving one.

Lead researcher Professor Anne Mitchell, who has conducted the study since 1992, says for young people, sexting is just a part of their sexual relationship.

"Given that it’s against the law, I think we have thoroughly lost that battle for young people," she said.

"It’s just a part of a sexual relationship, part of courtship, now."

Professor Mitchell says she would not go as far as recommending that sending explicit photos and videos to people under the age of 18 should be decriminalised, but she does think it should be up for debate.

"Of course harm can come to young people if these texts are sent far and wide but we found very low rates of what we'd call cyber bullying," she said.

"We're suggesting that for most young people this behaviour is really unproblematic and just kept within their sexual relationship."